JP2008234870A - Vehicle-mounting structure of battery - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an vehicle-mounting structure of a battery capable of suitably protecting the battery against shocks applied from the outside of a vehicle. <P>SOLUTION: The vehicle-mounting structure of a battery has a battery module 22 having an approximately rectangular parallelepiped shape, which is mounted on the vehicle. A plurality of battery modules 22 are laminated so that the same side faces 22a and the same side faces 22b having the widest areas among a plurality of side faces of the battery modules 22 face each other. The battery module 22 includes an external positive electrode terminal 26 and external negative electrode terminal 27 where a charge and discharge current flows. The external positive electrode terminal 26 and the external negative electrode terminal 27 are arranged on the side faces 22c and side faces 22d, respectively, facing a vehicle-width direction. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention generally relates to a vehicle mounting structure for a battery, and more particularly to a vehicle mounting structure for a battery used as a power source for a vehicle.

  Regarding a conventional battery mounting structure for a battery, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-249202 discloses an assembled battery and a battery system for the purpose of suppressing a decrease in cooling efficiency (Patent Document 1). In Patent Document 1, a module assembly is mounted on an automobile such as an electric car or a hybrid car. The module assembly is configured by stacking a plurality of box-type battery modules. Terminals for charging and discharging the battery module are arranged on the side surface of the battery module. The module assembly is mounted on the automobile so that the terminals are arranged in the front-rear direction of the vehicle.

  Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2006-107764 discloses a power supply device that aims to cool the entire battery module more uniformly while reducing the temperature difference of the entire battery module and reducing the temperature difference of the elongated battery module. (Patent Document 2). The power supply device disclosed in Patent Document 2 includes a battery module. The battery module is configured by linearly connecting cylindrical unit cells.

  Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-210245 discloses a battery module cooling device that aims to sufficiently improve cooling efficiency with a simple configuration (Patent Document 3). The cooling device disclosed in Patent Document 3 includes a plurality of battery cells that have a positive electrode terminal and a negative electrode terminal and are arranged in one direction. The positive electrode terminal and the negative electrode terminal are disposed above the battery cell.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-317812 discloses an assembled battery and a battery system for the purpose of realizing optimal cooling (Patent Document 4).
JP 2003-249202 A JP 2006-107764 A JP 2006-210245 A JP 2003-317812 A

  In the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, terminals through which charge / discharge current flows are arranged in the vehicle front-rear direction of the battery module. However, in such a configuration, when the automobile on which the module assembly is mounted is collided from behind, the impact at the time of the collision is directly applied to the terminal. As a result, the battery module may be impacted.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to solve the above-described problem and to provide a vehicle mounting structure for a battery in which the battery is appropriately protected against an impact applied from the outside of the vehicle.

  A battery mounting structure for a battery according to the present invention includes a battery mounted on a vehicle and having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The plurality of batteries are stacked such that the side surfaces having the largest area among the plurality of side surfaces of the battery face each other. The battery includes an external terminal through which charge / discharge current flows. An external terminal is arrange | positioned at the side surface which faces the vehicle width direction of a battery.

  According to the vehicle mounting structure of the battery configured as described above, since the external terminal is disposed on the side surface of the battery facing the vehicle width direction, when the vehicle mounting the battery receives an impact from the front or rear of the vehicle, The impact applied to the external terminal can be kept small. Thereby, a battery can be protected appropriately.

  Preferably, the battery mounting structure of the battery further includes a pair of wheel houses that respectively accommodate left and right tires and constitute a vehicle body. The battery is disposed between the pair of wheel houses. According to the vehicle mounting structure of the battery configured as described above, when the vehicle on which the battery is mounted receives an impact from the side of the vehicle, the impact applied to the battery can be suppressed by the tire and the wheel house.

  Preferably, the plurality of batteries are stacked in the vehicle traveling direction. The battery mounting structure of the battery further includes plate members that are disposed on both sides of the plurality of stacked batteries and integrally hold the plurality of batteries. According to the vehicle mounting structure of the battery configured as described above, when the vehicle on which the battery is mounted receives an impact from the front or the rear of the vehicle, the impact applied to the battery can be suppressed by the plate member.

  Preferably, the battery includes a plurality of battery cells arranged in the vehicle width direction. The battery cells are arranged on opposite sides in the vehicle width direction and have a positive terminal and a negative terminal connected between adjacent battery cells. The external terminals include a first external terminal and a second external terminal. The first external terminal is connected to a positive terminal of a battery cell disposed at one end in the vehicle width direction. The second external terminal is connected to the negative terminal of the battery cell disposed at the other end in the vehicle width direction.

  According to the vehicle mounting structure of the battery configured as described above, the direction in which the plurality of battery cells are arranged matches the direction in which the first external terminal and the second external terminal are arranged. For this reason, a positive electrode terminal and a negative electrode terminal can be connected to a 1st external terminal and a 2nd external terminal, respectively, without changing the shape of the battery cell arrange | positioned at the both ends of a vehicle width direction with another battery cell.

  Preferably, the battery is mounted in a luggage room of the vehicle. According to the vehicle mounting structure of the battery configured as described above, the battery can be appropriately protected particularly when the vehicle collides from the rear of the vehicle.

  As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a vehicle mounting structure for a battery in which the battery is appropriately protected against an impact applied from the outside of the vehicle.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings referred to below, the same or corresponding members are denoted by the same reference numerals.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a hybrid vehicle to which a battery mounting structure for a battery according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied. The hybrid vehicle shown in the drawing is driven using a motor powered by a chargeable / dischargeable battery and an internal combustion engine such as a gasoline engine or a diesel engine as power sources. In the figure, the rear seat in the vehicle compartment is viewed from the front of the vehicle.

  Referring to FIG. 1, the hybrid vehicle includes a vehicle compartment 12 that is a space in which a person is boarded, and a luggage room 13 that is partitioned from the vehicle compartment 12 by a package tray 14. The luggage room 13 is disposed behind the rear seat 11. The luggage room 13 is disposed on the vehicle rear side. The luggage room 13 is disposed below the package tray 14.

  An intake port 15 is formed in the package tray 14. The air intake 15 opens toward the vehicle compartment 12. The intake port 15 is open vertically upward. Although not shown, an air intake duct is provided on the package tray 14 so as to cover the intake port 15.

  A rear cooler 16 as an air conditioner is disposed in the luggage room 13. The rear cooler 16 introduces a temperature-controlled airflow toward the occupant of the rear seat 11.

  FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the inside of the luggage room as seen from the direction indicated by the arrow II in FIG. With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, a battery pack 20 is arranged in the luggage room 13. The battery pack 20 includes a battery unit 21 and a device unit 49. The battery unit 21 and the device unit 49 are arranged in the vehicle width direction.

  The battery unit 21 has a function of supplying electric power to the motor when starting, accelerating, and climbing, and storing electric power regenerated by the motor generator during deceleration. The device unit 49 is a battery computer, a relay that controls the high voltage circuit of the battery unit 21, various sensors that detect the total voltage and charge / discharge current of the battery unit 21, and shuts off the high voltage circuit during inspection and maintenance of the battery pack 20. It consists of multiple devices such as service plugs.

  A fan 61 is disposed in the luggage room 13. The fan 61 is fixed to a wall surface of a wheel house 51p described later. The fan 61 is an electric sirocco fan that sucks air in the direction of the rotation axis from the center of the rotation fan and discharges air in the radial direction of the rotation axis. The type of the fan 61 is not limited to a sirocco fan, and may be, for example, a cross flow type fan or a propeller fan. The fan 61 supplies cooling air toward the battery pack 20.

  The intake port 15 and the fan 61 are connected by an intake duct 17. The rear cooler 16 and the fan 61 are connected by an intake duct 18. The fan 61 and the battery pack 20 are connected by an intake duct 19. By the switching valve (not shown), the air in the vehicle compartment 12 guided through the intake duct 17 and the cool air whose temperature is adjusted by the rear cooler 16 and guided through the intake duct 18 are selectively introduced into the fan 61 as cooling air. The cooling air introduced into the fan 61 is supplied to the battery pack 20 through the intake duct 19.

  3 is a plan view of a battery unit provided in the battery pack in FIG. With reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, battery unit 21 includes a plurality of battery modules 22. The battery module 22 is a nickel metal hydride battery. The battery module 22 is not particularly limited as long as it is a chargeable / dischargeable secondary battery, and may be, for example, a lithium ion battery.

  The battery module 22 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The battery module 22 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape having a short side in the vehicle front-rear direction and a long side in the vehicle width direction. The battery module 22 has a flat square shape.

  Battery module 22 includes side surfaces 22a and 22b. The side surface 22a and the side surface 22b are a pair of side surfaces facing in opposite directions. The side surfaces 22a and 22b face the vehicle front-rear direction. The side surfaces 22a and 22b have the widest area among the side surfaces of the battery module 22. Battery module 22 includes side surfaces 22c and 22d. The side surface 22c and the side surface 22d are a pair of side surfaces facing in opposite directions. The side surfaces 22c and 22d face the vehicle width direction. The side surfaces 22 a to 22 d form an outer shell of the battery module 22.

  Battery unit 21 includes side surfaces 21e and 21f. The side surface 21e and the side surface 21f are a pair of side surfaces facing in opposite directions. The side surfaces 21e and 21f face the vehicle width direction. The side surface 21 e faces the device unit 49. The side surfaces 21e and 21f include the side surfaces 22c and 21d of the battery module 22.

  The battery module 22 includes an external positive terminal 26 and an external negative terminal 27. The external positive terminal 26 and the external negative terminal 27 are made of metal. The external positive terminal 26 is made of, for example, aluminum, and the external negative terminal 27 is made of, for example, copper. A charge / discharge current flows through the external positive terminal 26 and the external negative terminal 27. The charge / discharge current is a high-voltage current, and has a voltage of 200 V or more, for example.

  The external positive terminal 26 and the external negative terminal 27 are disposed on the side surface 22c and the side surface 22d, respectively. The external positive terminal 26 and the external negative terminal 27 protrude from the side surface 22c and the side surface 22d, respectively. External positive terminal 26 and external negative terminal 27 extend in the vehicle width direction from side 22c and side 22d, respectively. The external positive terminal 26 and the external negative terminal 27 are disposed outside the case body that forms the outer shell of the battery module 22. The external positive terminal 26 and the external negative terminal 27 are disposed on the side surfaces 21 e and 21 f of the battery unit 21. The external positive terminal 26 and the external negative terminal 27 arranged on the side surface 21 e are provided so as to face the device unit 49.

  The plurality of battery modules 22 are stacked in one direction. The plurality of battery modules 22 are stacked in the vehicle front-rear direction. The plurality of battery modules 22 are stacked such that the side surfaces 22a or the side surfaces 22b face each other between the battery modules 22 adjacent to each other. The plurality of battery modules 22 are stacked such that the external positive terminal 26 and the external negative terminal 27 are arranged between the adjacent battery modules 22. An external positive terminal 26 and an external negative terminal 27 are connected by a bus bar 34 between adjacent battery modules 22. The plurality of battery modules 22 are electrically connected to each other in series.

  A cooling air passage 23 is formed by arranging a spacer (not shown) between the battery modules 22 adjacent to each other. The cooling air supplied to the battery pack 20 flows through the cooling air passage 23 and cools the battery module 22 during this time.

  End plates 31 and 32 are disposed on both sides of the plurality of stacked battery modules 22. The end plates 31 and 32 are made of a resin material such as polypropylene or a polymer of polypropylene. End plates 31 and 32 may be made of metal. The end plate 31 and the end plate 32 are coupled to each other by a restraining band 36. The restraining band 36 applies a restraining force along the stacking direction to the battery module 22. With such a configuration, the plurality of battery modules 22 are sandwiched between the end plate 31 and the end plate 32 and integrally held.

  The connection between the end plate 31 and the end plate 32 is not limited to the restraining band 36. For example, a bolt that generates an axial force in the stacking direction of the battery modules 22, a rubber, a string, a tape, or the like that generates a tightening force. May be used.

  FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the hybrid vehicle along the line IV-IV in FIG. Referring to FIG. 4, the hybrid vehicle includes side members 53p and 53q, and wheel houses 51p and 51q. The side members 53p and 53q are frame members for increasing the strength of the vehicle body. Side members 53p and 53q extend in the vehicle front-rear direction. The side member 53p and the side body 53q are arranged at an interval in the vehicle width direction.

  Wheelhouses 51p and 51q constitute the vehicle body. The wheel house 51p accommodates a right tire 56p and a suspension that is connected to the tire 56p and supports the vehicle body. The wheel house 51q accommodates a left tire 56q and a suspension connected to the tire 56q and supporting the vehicle body. The side member 53p and the wheel house 51p are arranged side by side in the vehicle width direction. Side member 53q and wheel house 51q are arranged side by side in the vehicle width direction.

  The battery pack 20 is installed on the floor panel 66 of the vehicle. The battery pack 20 including the battery module 22 is disposed between the wheel house 51p and the wheel house 51q. The battery pack 20 is disposed between the side member 53p and the side member 53q. The battery pack 20 is disposed between the tire 56p and the tire 56q. The tire 56p, the wheel house 51p, the side member 53p, the battery pack 20, the side member 53q, the wheel house 51q, and the tire 56q are arranged side by side in the horizontal direction. A device unit 49 is disposed between the wheel house 51p and the wheel house 51q.

  In the present embodiment, the external positive terminal 26 and the external negative terminal 27 are disposed on the side surfaces 22c and 22d of the battery module 22 facing the vehicle width direction. With such a configuration, even when the hybrid vehicle may collide from the rear of the vehicle, it is possible to suppress the impact generated during the collision from being applied to the external positive terminal 26 and the external negative terminal 27. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the impact on the battery module 22 and to protect the battery module 22. In addition, since it is not necessary to provide a cover for protecting the external positive terminal 26 and the external negative terminal 27, the battery pack 20 can have a simple configuration.

  In addition, the plurality of battery modules 22 are stacked such that the side surfaces 22a or the side surfaces 22b having the widest areas of the battery modules 22 face each other. With such a configuration, when the hybrid vehicle collides with the battery module 22 in the stacking direction, particularly in the present embodiment, from the rear of the vehicle, the impact can be efficiently distributed and received by the side surfaces 22a and 22b. Further, since the end plate 32 is arranged on the vehicle rear side of the stacked battery modules 22, the impact applied to the battery module 22 can be suppressed by the end plate 32.

  In the present embodiment, battery pack 20 is arranged between wheel house 51p and wheel house 51q. With such a configuration, even if the hybrid vehicle may collide from the side of the vehicle, the impact applied to the battery pack 20 can be reduced to the wheel houses 51p and 51q and the tires 56p and 56q. Similarly, an impact applied to the device unit 49 through which a high-voltage current flows can be suppressed to a small level.

  FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of the battery module in FIG. Referring to FIG. 5, the battery module 22 includes a plurality of battery cells 42. The battery cell 42 is a minimum unit that can function as a chargeable / dischargeable secondary battery. The plurality of battery cells 42 are accommodated in a case body 41 that forms an outer shell of the battery module 22. The plurality of battery cells 42 are arranged in the vehicle width direction. A battery cell 42g is disposed at one end aligned in the vehicle width direction, and a battery cell 42h is disposed at the other end.

  The battery cell 42 includes a positive terminal 43 and a negative terminal 44. The positive terminal 43 and the negative terminal 44 are disposed on opposite sides of each battery cell 42 in the vehicle width direction. A positive electrode terminal 43 and a negative electrode terminal 44 are connected between adjacent battery cells 42. The plurality of battery cells 42 are electrically connected to each other in series. The positive terminal 43 of the battery cell 42g is connected to the external positive terminal 26 as the first external terminal with the connection plate 46 interposed. A negative electrode terminal 44 of the battery cell 42h is connected to an external negative electrode terminal 27 as a second external terminal with a connection plate 47 interposed therebetween.

  In the present embodiment, external positive terminal 26 and external negative terminal 27 are arranged in the vehicle width direction in which a plurality of battery cells 42 are arranged. For this reason, the positive electrode terminal 43 and the negative electrode terminal 44 face each other between the adjacent battery cells 42 without changing the shape of the battery cells 42 arranged at both ends in the vehicle width direction from the shape of the other battery cells 42, and The terminals can be connected to the external positive terminal 26 and the external negative terminal 27.

  The battery mounting structure of the battery according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention includes a battery module 22 that is mounted on a hybrid vehicle as a vehicle and has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The plurality of battery modules 22 are stacked such that the side surfaces 22a having the largest area among the plurality of side surfaces of the battery module 22 or the side surfaces 22b face each other. The battery module 22 includes an external positive terminal 26 and an external negative terminal 27 as external terminals through which charge / discharge current flows. The external positive terminal 26 and the external negative terminal 27 are arranged on the side surface 22c and the side surface 22d of the battery module 22 facing the vehicle width direction, respectively.

  According to the battery mounting structure of the battery in the embodiment of the present invention configured as described above, it is possible to appropriately protect the battery module 22 from an impact applied from the outside of the vehicle.

  In the present embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to the battery pack 20 disposed in the luggage room 13 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, under the seat installed in the vehicle compartment 12 or in the driver's seat The present invention can also be applied to a battery pack disposed in a console box installed between the passenger seat and the passenger seat.

  The present invention can also be applied to a fuel cell hybrid vehicle (FCHV) or an electric vehicle (EV) using a fuel cell and a battery as drive sources. In the hybrid vehicle in the present embodiment, the internal combustion engine is driven at the fuel efficiency optimum operating point, whereas in the fuel cell hybrid vehicle, the fuel cell is driven at the power generation efficiency optimum operating point. Further, the use of the battery is basically the same for both hybrid vehicles.

  The embodiment disclosed this time should be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

1 is a perspective view showing a hybrid vehicle to which a battery mounting structure of a battery according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied. It is a perspective view which shows the inside of the luggage room seen from the direction shown by the arrow II in FIG. FIG. 3 is a plan view of a battery unit provided in the battery pack in FIG. 2. It is sectional drawing of the hybrid vehicle along the IV-IV line in FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the internal structure of the battery module in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

  22 Battery module, 22a, 22b, 22c, 22d Side surface, 26 External positive terminal, 27 External negative terminal, 31, 32 End plate, 42, 42g, 42h Battery cell, 43 Positive terminal, 44 Negative terminal, 51p, 51q Wheelhouse , 56p, 56q tires.

Claims (5)

A battery mounted on a vehicle and having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape,
The plurality of batteries are stacked such that the side surfaces having the largest area among the plurality of side surfaces of the battery are facing each other,
The battery includes an external terminal through which a charge / discharge current flows,
A battery mounting structure for a battery, wherein the external terminal is disposed on a side surface of the battery facing a vehicle width direction. Each of the left and right tires is accommodated, and further provided with a pair of wheelhouses constituting the body,
The battery mounting structure according to claim 1, wherein the battery is disposed between the pair of wheel houses. The plurality of batteries are stacked in the vehicle traveling direction,
The battery mounting structure for a battery according to claim 1, further comprising a plate member disposed on both sides of the plurality of stacked batteries and integrally holding the plurality of batteries. The battery includes a plurality of battery cells arranged in the vehicle width direction,
The battery cells are arranged on opposite sides in the vehicle width direction, and have a positive terminal and a negative terminal connected between the adjacent battery cells,
The external terminal includes a first external terminal and a second external terminal,
The first external terminal is connected to the positive terminal of the battery cell arranged at one end in the vehicle width direction, and the second external terminal is connected to the other end of the battery cell in the vehicle width direction. The vehicle mounting structure for a battery according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the battery mounting structure is connected to a negative electrode terminal.   The battery mounting structure for a battery according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the battery is mounted in a luggage room of the vehicle.

Images